George Russell, that is. A brilliant Brazilian Grand Prix weekend delivered excitement from Friday’s qualifying to Sunday’s chequered flag as Russell claimed his maiden Grand Prix victory.
From the first time Russell stepped into a racing car, many people predicted he was a future Formula One race winner and potential World Champion in the making. Russell excelled in all junior racing categories before entering Formula One in 2019, winning the GP3 and GP2 titles in his first year in each championship. That is a feat only achieved by three drivers previously, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hulkenburg, and Charles Leclerc. Oscar Piastri has also since matched this feat.
George Russell (photo, Sky Sports)
Sunday, in Sao Paulo, those predictions came true. It was a journey, though.
After joining Formula One, Russell had to be patient for his opportunity to show off his immense talent. He entered the back-of-the-grid Williams team as part of his long-term contract as a Mercedes development driver. It would have been easy for Russell to grow frustrated as he battled to avoid finishing last. In contrast, fellow GP2 graduates and drivers he had comfortably beaten the previous season, Lando Norris and Alex Albon, achieved more notable results. However, to anyone who took a more detailed look into the results and looked beyond the headlines of podiums and points scored, it was easy to see that Russell was getting far more out of the Williams car than what it seemed at first glance.
As teammates Robert Kubica and then Nicholas Latifi mostly failed to qualify above the back row of the grid, Russell often made it into the 2nd part of qualifying to finish ahead of more experienced drivers in quicker cars. This earned him the nickname ‘Mr. Saturday,” in recognition of his performances in Saturday qualifying sessions.
After three years at Williams, Russell finally got his chance with the Mercedes team, but he must have also thought he had a curse over his head. Mercedes had a poor car in comparison to its main rivals, Red Bull and Ferrari. 2022 it seemed destined to be the first year in more than a decade that Mercedes failed to win a race in a Formula One season.
That outcome changed in Brazil. Russell delivered a victory. That’s not the full story, though. Through non-stop work and dedication, the team improved what Mercedes put on the track, especially since the latest car upgrades at the US Grand Prix last month.
After starting in pole position in the race, Russell had to manage two safety car periods and the threat offered by seven-time champion and Mercedes partner Lewis Hamilton behind him for the final ten laps. But Russell drove faultlessly, not like a driver on the brink of losing a chance of his first victory in 81 attempts.
There’s no doubt that Russell is very much a part of Formula One’s future. At 24, he is one year younger than current World Champion Max Verstappen and Ferrari star Charles Leclerc. All three drivers are sure to be on the F1 grid for many years to come. How great would it be for the sport if, for the first time, three drivers from three different teams battled for the world title?
For that to happen on Russell’s watch, Mercedes needs to put a competitive car on the track. If it does, then it’s a safe wager to bet that George Russell will expand his reign well beyond Brazil.
